Plenty of patients who took a popular anti-seizure medication are now concerned about the impact of Dilantin side effects long term.

Dilantin is an anti-epileptic drug given to those who suffer from seizure and epilepsy.

Dilantin side effects long term implications may concern patients who used the Dilantin medication because they have reportedly included severe medical conditions like cerebellar degeneration or cerebellar atrophy. Numerous medical and academic studies indicate that Dilantin side effects long term show a higher risk of developing cerebellar degeneration, a condition that can affect coordination, movement and speech

A patient who has already experienced Dilantin side effects long term, including a diagnosis of cerebellar atrophy, may have a legal claim against the drug’s manufacturer due to a lack of information warning patients about the risk of developing this medical condition.

Many plaintiffs who have taken this medication report that they were never properly informed about the Dilantin side effects long term repercussions when getting the drug.

What are Dilantin Side Effects Long Term?

Cerebellar degeneration is one of the most significant Dilantin side effects long term that can impact all patients taking the drug. Cerebellar atrophy can affect a certain portion of the brain and decrease the functions controlled by that specific area of the brain. It can also affect the entire brain and shrink this important organ.

Damage to the cerebellum can lead to a number of problematic Dilantin side effects long term. By the time a patient discovers that they have suffered from these side effects or developed a significant medical condition, it can be difficult to get through day to day life.

Many of the long term Dilantin side effects connected to cerebellar atrophy are similar to a stroke. These symptoms include jerky or non-steady movements, slurred and slow speech, memory loss, an unsteady walk, and small and rapid movements in the eyes. While there are several other causes of cerebellar atrophy, including multiple sclerosis, seizures, tumors and stroke, studies have linked long term Dilantin side effects to the development of cerebellar atrophy.

One 2003 study found that Dilantin side effects long term were directly connected to severe atrophy of the cerebellum. A patient who was never informed about the side effects might not be aware that their declining medical condition was directly tied to the development of cerebellar atrophy.

Sudden changes to a patient’s symptoms could be reported to a medical provider, but without knowing the risk factors, this report might only occur after the patient has been suffering for several months.

The longer that a particular patient takes this medication, the higher their risk factors are for developing cerebellar atrophy. Many of those patients who have already developed cerebellar atrophy have chosen to file a lawsuit against the manufacturer of the drug.

These patients allege that they were never told about the risk of cerebellar atrophy and have been left to cope with significant medical expenses and the impact the condition has on their daily life.